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I’d still barely scratched the surface of the mountain of evidence the U.S. Attorney’s Office had gathered against the Five Families, but I’d narrowed my focus to the Ferraras. I had plenty of proof to show Max.
Now, I just had to find him. Even though it should’ve been a relief that I hadn’t glimpsed him in the shadows since the night I’d confronted him in the street, his absence didn’t lessen the nightmares that haunted me in the few hours I did manage to sleep. Several times, I’d dreamt of falling, my knees cracking against the pavement, a blaring car horn, and strong arms around me. I awoke from those with my brow damp and my heart racing. The jittery sensation was scarcely better than the visions of bloody corpses and the tear-streaked faces of bereaved family members left behind.
I ran a shaky hand through my hair and resisted the urge to rub my dry eyes, which were itchy from sleep deprivation. I didn’t want to risk smudging the concealer I’d applied to hide the worst of my dark circles. I knew I must look like a frazzled mess, just like I’d felt on the inside ever since Max had first abducted me.
There had only been one way for me to narrow down his location. His father’s address was on file with the authorities, and I had access to those records. He might’ve been released from federal prison early, but he was still on probation.
My knees shook slightly as I approached the historic townhouse in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Apparently, Paul Ferrara had lost several years of his freedom but not his lavish home when he’d been arrested. I was about to knock on a notorious mobster’s door.
Maybe Max was right; maybe I had gone insane.
I took a deep breath, reminding myself that my father’s safety was on the line, and Paul Ferrara hadn’t been convicted of any violent crimes. Of course, I wasn’t stupid enough to think he hadn’t been aware of some of those crimes when they took place, but I didn’t have to fear for my immediate safety.
I hoped.
Summoning my resolve to protect my family, I lifted a trembling finger and punched the doorbell before I could think better of it.
After several agonizing minutes, the door opened, and a stunning woman greeted me with a cool expression and even colder black eyes. Her delicate chin lifted, and even though she was an inch shorter than me, her imperious stare made me feel tiny and weak in her petite shadow.
“Yes?” she prompted, sounding almost bored.
“Hi,” I breathed, barely managing to prevent myself from stuttering. This woman definitely gave off ruthless-Mafia vibes, and it was all I could do to keep my spine straight beneath her withering glare. “I’m here to see Max?” I silently cursed myself when what was meant to be a confident statement came out as a lilting question.
Dark, perfectly arched brows rose almost all the way to her sleek black hair, which was pulled back from her heart-shaped face. Her aloof beauty was almost painfully intimidating. My stomach twisted, and for a moment, I considered bolting.
“And who are you?” she demanded, her voice soft and slightly husky. Everything about her oozed poise and cool confidence. I felt terribly disheveled and pathetically weak in comparison, my composure completely shot after so many sleepless nights. The relentless fear for my father that’d followed me every waking minute had left me shredded and raw.
“Allie.” I almost squeaked my name, but I pressed on. I was here now. I had to follow through. “I’ve, ah, been out with Max a few times.”
Those brows lifted higher. “And he gave you this address?”
“Yes?” Damn it. I’d asked a question again when it should’ve been a calm statement.
I am strong. I am independent. I can do this.
I squared my shoulders, toughening my resolve. “I can come back later if he’s not here.”
Tell me where I can find him. I silently willed her to reveal his location. The sooner I could leave this place, the better.
Her eyes scanned me once again, picking apart each of my features with cold precision. Her sudden, broad smile was jarringly beautiful. The icy woman had been replaced by a dazzling hostess in the blink of an eye. Despite her suddenly welcoming demeanor, I was more unnerved than ever.
“He must not have wanted to show you his shithole apartment,” she said, the snide comment tinkling on a little laugh. “This is a much more impressive address. Why didn’t you let him know you were coming?”
I didn’t miss the incisive flash of her obsidian eyes as she interrogated me. The woman was a shark, even if she was hiding her razor-sharp teeth.
“I broke my phone and lost all my contacts.” It was the smoothest lie I’d ever told. This woman could flay me with a single glance, and I had no choice but to pull on my thickest emotional armor. It was pure survival instinct, tempered by years of terrible bullying. I never thought I’d be grateful for the hard lessons those years had taught me, but they would possibly save my skin now.
